Astros vs Cubs Recap: Vazquez HR fuels 4-2 win

The Houston Astros arrived at Wrigley Field hungry to build on a win. The Cubs came in struggling—they'd lost their last six games in a row. This was Houston's chance to keep rolling. Spencer Arrighetti took the mound for the Astros, and he was absolutely locked in. Over his five innings, he threw five strikeouts and gave up zero runs. He looked untouchable. The Cubs' starter Jameson Taillon couldn't find his groove. In the third inning, Christian Vazquez crushed a fastball deep to left-center field. The ball sailed 371 feet and landed over the wall for a solo home run. Houston jumped ahead 1-0 with Vazquez's power swing setting the tone.

The fourth inning became a showcase for Houston's offense. With two outs, things were about to change fast. Zach Cole hit a grounder to shortstop—Christian Walker scored on the play, and the Astros pushed it to 2-0. But Vazquez wasn't done yet. On a 92 miles-per-hour fastball, Vazquez smacked a single to right field. Braden Shewmake sprinted home from third base. The score jumped to 3-0, Houston. Cole was standing at third base now, ready to score again. The Cubs' pitching staff was getting shelled. Taillon's control was slipping. The Astros were putting on a hitting clinic, and Chicago's defense couldn't stop the bleeding. Houston's bats were on fire.

Houston kept attacking in the fifth inning. Brice Matthews crushed a single to center field, scoring Isaac Paredes. The Astros extended their lead to 4-0. They were completely in control. Then the Cubs woke up in the sixth inning. Pete Crow-Armstrong stepped up to the plate against Steven Okert. The ball rocketed off his bat to right field—406 feet of pure power. It sailed over the wall for a two-run home shot. Miguel Amaya scored with him. Suddenly it was 4-2, Houston. The Cubs had momentum now, but the Astros' relief pitchers—Enyel De Los Santos, Bryan Abreu, and Bryan King—slammed the door shut. King earned the save. Houston escaped with a 4-2 victory, improving their record to 22-31. The Cubs fell to 29-23 and lost their seventh straight game.